Yesterday, March 9, 2025, will forever be etched in the collective memory of Romania as the day democracy was strangled in broad daylight. The Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) made a decision that sent shockwaves through the nation: the rejection of the candidacy of Mr. Călin Georgescu, the frontrunner in the polls for the presidential elections scheduled for May. This decision, seen by many as politically motivated and unjust, has plunged Romania into a state of profound crisis, threatening not only its democracy but also its very existence as a sovereign state. The streets of Bucharest bore witness to the anger and desperation of thousands of citizens who gathered in front of the BEC headquarters to protest the decision. Their chants echoed through the cold March air, a desperate cry for justice and freedom. “We want democracy!” they shouted, their voices trembling with emotion. For many, this was not just a protest; it was a fight for the soul of their nation. 

The rejection of Georgescu’s candidacy is not an isolated event but the latest chapter in a series of alarming developments that have unfolded since December 6, 2024. On that fateful day, the Constitutional Court of Romania annulled the presidential elections while they were already underway, a move that many described as an unprecedented coup d’état. Since then, the rule of law has been systematically dismantled, replaced by what can only be described as a creeping dictatorship. 

Analysts have pointed to the interference of the European Commission in Romania’s internal affairs, suggesting that it has emboldened those seeking to undermine democracy. The Commission’s silence in the face of these blatant violations of democratic principles has been deafening, raising questions about its commitment to the values it claims to uphold. 

The situation in Romania is not just a national crisis; it is a European one. The collapse of democracy in Romania would send a chilling message to the entire continent, signaling that the principles of freedom and justice can be trampled upon with impunity. It would be a betrayal of the ideals that the European Union was founded upon and a harbinger of the total collapse of democracy in Europe. 

For the people of Romania, the stakes could not be higher. They are not just fighting for their right to choose their leaders; they are fighting for their dignity, their future, and their very identity as a nation. The sight of thousands of citizens braving the cold to protest against injustice is a testament to their resilience and their unyielding belief in the power of democracy. 

But time is running out. Romania is on the edge of the abyss, and the world cannot afford to look away. The international community must take a stand and hold those responsible for this assault on democracy accountable. The people of Romania have shown that they are willing to fight for their freedom, but they cannot do it alone. 

As the sun sets on Bucharest, the future of Romania hangs in the balance. The streets are quiet now, but the anger and determination of the people remain. They know that the fight is far from over, and they are prepared to do whatever it takes to reclaim their democracy. 

Despite the fact that Romanian democracy died yesterday, March 9, the people stood up and demanded its resuscitation. The world has to support them because their struggle is our struggle and their triumph will benefit all of us. Democracy is more than simply a term; it is a commitment that must be upheld at all costs.

By Paul Bumman